REALLY new to traditional's....Need advice please....

JR88FAN

JR88FAN

Joined
May 5, 2013
Messages
3,618
Hey Guys.

I want to start by saying thanks in advance to any help that I get here, it's really appreciated.

Quick background on me, I am a folder fan, what most people might call "modern" or even "tactical" to a certain degree (I hate labels)

To the point; At the moment I own exactly 1 (one) knife......and that's because for what I like and do it's as close to perfect as a "modern" folder is going to get. (Large 21 Insingo)

I am here because ever since I saw a John Mcnees Sodbuster I have absolutely fallen in love with what a simple workman-like no nonsense knife they are.

I have been scouring the net and dealers looking at all the wonderful Sodbuster models, and that's the thing, there are so many, from so many different companies...

My question;

I want to use and collect these knives at the same time. So while I don't care how "rare" or "special" a knife is, I will use it...

Where do I start?
What should I be looking at it terms of quality?
What makes/versions would get me headed in the right direction?!!

(I don't own the Mcnees Sodbuster, but when I find one I will)

Thanks in advance, Alex.
 
well theres a case sodbuster and a gec bullnose i suppose, roughly similar. welcome!
 
mrknife said:
well theres a case sodbuster and a gec bullnose i suppose, roughly similar. welcome!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Do you know the # or #'s of the GEC Bullnose?

It seems easier to find them that way...

Are there a lot of variations of each?
Are there some I should focus on ahead of other ones based on materials?

I am a big Micarta fan, never owned anything made of any bone, but that's going to change....
 
Welcome Alex~

Seeing as you're thinking about dropping the coin on a McNees Soddie why not jump to customs as well in the traditional arena ;)
I'm sure you're accustomed to a certain level of fit and finish if your CRK is your sole knife at the moment.

Here are some custom sodbusters I'm a fan of.
Some goals to work towards if you ever see one pop up ;)

But for right now, I'd go and try to find a 71 bullnose. It's the perfect size for a EDC sodbuster and the fit and finish is fantastic.

KR Johnson
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Kerry Hampton KHnutbuster
khnutbusters-8-10-11-2.jpg

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Khnutbuster1.jpg

Khnutbuster3.jpg
 
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There is also the GEC 21 which is the full size sodbuster. You can also look at some of the other knives in GEC's farm and field line like the 47(?) which will probably be easier to track down right now. There is also the smith and sons mudbug which is a locking sodbuster made by GEC for smith and sons. Then you also have the Queen mountain man(?). There are probably a few other current or recently released production sod buster patterns I'm forgetting.
If You like the insingo' wharncliffe-esque blade then you might like the GEC viper or any one of the other single blade wharncliffe models.
 
Welcome to the porch.

A suggestion:
As your traditional addiction advances, check out the Rough Rider knives. Great knives at a price that won't bankrupt the bank.
They are great for trying out different patterns, to see if you like them in-hand, and not just as eye candy.

Check out the Rough Rider and related thread. They have a good reputation.
 
You guys are really great over here, I am really blown away by this part of the community that until now I knew nothing about....
Sorry for the slow reply's, I am checking all of these out, and nothing you guys have shown me isn't exceptional...
 
SadSappySucker said:
There is also the GEC 21 which is the full size sodbuster. You can also look at some of the other knives in GEC's farm and field line like the 47(?) which will probably be easier to track down right now. There is also the smith and sons mudbug which is a locking sodbuster made by GEC for smith and sons. Then you also have the Queen mountain man(?). There are probably a few other current or recently released production sod buster patterns I'm forgetting.
If You like the insingo' wharncliffe-esque blade then you might like the GEC viper or any one of the other single blade wharncliffe models.
Click to expand...

I have always been a huge Wharny (or a modified form of) fan, but something about the Sodbuster's from tip to scale had caught my attention like nothing really has in a long time...
 
I don't have any advice to offer in terms of sod busters—I'm a stockman/whittler/lambsfoot guy so far—but I do want to take a moment to say welcome to Traditionals in general and to the Porch here in particular, Alex. Traditionals offer a wonderfully rich world to explore and I've found the kind, generous folks here to be great guides and companions on that journey.
 
Great thread Ken, ^^^

The evolution should go -> Bullnose 71 -> Custom sodbuster ;) Keith Johnson does have an open list by the way~
 
Ryouchijtx said:
Great thread Ken, ^^^

The evolution should go -> Bullnose 71 -> Custom sodbuster ;) Keith Johnson does have an open list by the way~
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I am checking out everything....!

I should have mentioned a problem I didn't realize I would have but should have...I am in Canada. Land of 2 knife shops.

I am a big fan of KSF (currently out of the 71) and KW, not finding much there...

Is there a shop that really specializes in traditionals that I am not aware of?
 
Barry (gunstockjacksknives) and Mike (collectorknives.net) are both members here and specialize in traditionals. It might be tough finding a GEC sodbuster right now: it been a while since the last release and they tend to go quickly. Good luck in your searches.
 
Shaggy said:
Barry (gunstockjacksknives) and Mike (collectorknives.net) are both members here and specialize in traditionals. It might be tough finding a GEC sodbuster right now: it been a while since the last release and they tend to go quickly. Good luck in your searches.
Click to expand...

You are correct about finding that 71...!

Here's what I am going to do; since I am not new to knives I am going to actually learn a little bit from past experience.

Instead of jumping into this feet first and accumulating 20-30 knives as fast as I can, I am going to focus on getting what I want, which I can already see is leaning more toward the custom side of things with some productions mixed in there as well..

Maybe I should hang around here, get to know you guys and the knives better and make informed decisions as this is not going to be inexpensive, but it's going to be a heck of a lot of fun.

Patience is something that will get me where I want this to go....
 
JR88FAN said:
You are correct about finding that 71...!

Here's what I am going to do; since I am not new to knives I am going to actually learn a little bit from past experience.

Instead of jumping into this feet first and accumulating 20-30 knives as fast as I can, I am going to focus on getting what I want, which I can already see is leaning more toward the custom side of things with some productions mixed in there as well..

Maybe I should hang around here, get to know you guys and the knives better and make informed decisions as this is not going to be inexpensive, but it's going to be a heck of a lot of fun.

Patience is something that will get me where I want this to go....
Click to expand...

Good plan. Don't forget to keep your eyes on the traditional knife exchange: the sodbusters do pop-up from time to time.....
 
Your best bet for a bullnose right now is going to be either posting a WTB ad here or browsing the big auction site. At any given point in time, there will be 1-2 for sale there. Some are deals, some not so much, but it can scratch the itch!
 
The case sodbuster Jr. in yellow delrin and cv steel is the quintessential soddie. A custom sort of defeats the sodbuster's point in my opinion.


- Paul
 
I like the Case. It's also available in fancier handles, if you're not happy with delrin. I'd look at AG Russell's Rancher or Cowboy too. You'll like their looks or you won't.
 
I thot I saw a mcnees soddie up in the customs exchange, but could have been elsewhere. They surface here and there . You might want to look at Jens Anso's Monte Carlos, they blur the line nicely between mod and trad. I like to poke around a lot, if I see a Mcnees somewhere I'll leave you a VM
Thanks, Neal
Ps I've seen some of your posts and personally I think you come off as a pretty stand up guy👍
 
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